I know I’m such a girly girl. I’m typically all about skirts, dresses and heels but every now and then, I like to pull out the sneakers (most likely the white ones as mentioned in many of my posts) to style an outfit. During the summer months, if I’m going to be doing a lot of walking, I can be found in a summer dress and a pair of white sneakers.
If I’m going for a more casual look, I’ll pair my running shoes with a pair of skinny jeans and a tee, which is such a modern classic look by the way. I find myself especially gravitating towards this look when I’m dressing up to head to the airport.
There is a slight art to pairing jeans with athletic shoes and so if you’re looking for some inspiration for creating outfits with running shoes, you want to keep reading. I find that the best jeans to pair with sneakers are straight-leg jeans just because they prevent bulking at the ankles and also make your legs look slimmer and longer. This isn’t to say you can’t match your boot cut jeans with a pair of kicks but it just wouldn’t be the best way to pull off this look.
In this post, I’ll be showing you different ways to style a pair of jeans with a pair of sneakers. These looks could be worn on several occasions such as a trip to the mall, art gallery or to pick the kids up.
Today’s looks will definitely be more on the casual side given that we’re focusing on denim and sneakers – two clothing items which are already considered casual. However, you’re bound to find at least a couple of looks you could incorporate into your personal style.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through the links, at no cost to you.
The first step to making sure your sneakers and jeans outfit looks well put together is to own the right pair of shoes. Below are some of my favorite places to shop for comfortable and trendy sneakers and tennis shoes which would be perfect for today’s looks:
– DSW has such a wide range of women’s sneakers and athletic footwear that you’re bound to find your size in a style that you like. I check out their website on a regular basis anytime I’m looking for new footwear because they carry a large volume of stock, even when other websites are sold out. If you’re just starting out with sneakers then these white Adidas Grand court sneakers need to be your first pair.
As per the excellent reviews, they are comfortable and fit true to size. They would also be the perfect white sneakers to pair with dresses, jeans and skirts.
– ASOS is another great destination to check out when you’re looking for affordable sneakers or tennis shoes. ASOS has been carrying other brands on their platform for a long time and is a great place to check for popular kicks such as these Nike Air Max 90s.
If you’re looking to show off your cool side and serve up some major street style when rocking your favorite jeans on a casual day, then these are the sneakers to go with.
– Let’s not forget that actual running shoes can be paired with jeans for some everyday casual wear. Nordstrom is a platform that also carries a range of sneakers from different brands. New Balance is a recognized name in the athletic industry for their comfortable running shoes.
The good news is that the design of their shoes tends to match their comfortability and so you could throw on a pair of these with a pair of cropped jeans for a simple sneaker and jeans look. These ones here are a great option to go with if you’re serious about your runs and want to be able to wear the same sneakers as part of your everyday style.
Now that we’ve covered the places to find the right pair of shoes to create the perfect jeans and sneakers looks, let’s jump into the different ways you can style them. Here are my favorite looks to create with straight leg jeans:
1) Jeans and white tee
Here’s a classic style anyone could pull off. The trick is to ensure your jeans fit you perfectly. You can find some great jeans from Madewell (or more affordable options HERE) and pair them with either a fitted or oversized tee. I find that the more oversized the t-shirt, the more you should play around with the color and chunkiness of your sneakers. I don’t when and how it happened but chunky sneakers are back in and you could rock them in either neutral colors like these here or you could go off with a pair in some bright colors for a more vibrant look.
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If your style is more conservative, I recommend a pair of white sneakers like these ones from ECCO. Ecco shoes are known for their comfort and durability so you’re sure to be able to get your money’s worth if you go with a pair of them.
2) Boyfriend jeans and a crop top
The best thing about boyfriend jeans is the way they provide a slightly looser fit while still maintaining a subtle feminine vibe. A crop top is the perfect choice of top to pair with boyfriend jeans because the overall look balances both a masculine and feminine aesthetic. Consider pairing your boyfriend jeans with slip-on sneakers such as these Keds to create some great everyday style that works for both day and night.
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Slip on sneakers also work better if you have wider feet (or if you have trouble bending down to tie laces). Feel free to throw on a leather jacket on cooler nights or just to add some sass to your overall look. This could be a great dinner date outfit if you add some earrings.
3) Daisy dukes and t-shirts
This was one of the most common casual looks I noticed this past summer and I can see why. If you’re looking to flaunt your body without trying, a fitted shirt and denim shorts does the trick. Your favorite assets would be on display while still keeping things classy.
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If you’re not comfortable with your mid-section, all you need to do is opt for an oversized t-shirt instead of a fitted one and you could still pull of this look. Chunky sneakers, slip-ons or high tops would be the perfect choice of footwear to go with the shirt and shorts look.
4) Skinny jeans and high tops
This is such an early 2000s look that is still trending. Like most millennials (and anyone younger), when I think of high top sneakers, the first brand that comes to mind is Converse. You don’t have to be a skateboarder or even a physically active person to be able to rock these cool sneakers at any time of the year. This classic pair would look great with a pair of black or blue jeans and fitted tee.
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You could also add a denim jacket if it’s a little chilly outside. High tops work best with skinny jeans (and especially cropped skinny jeans) because the bottom of your jeans won’t get all bunched up and weird looking.
5) Jeans and blouses
If you’re looking to be wear sneakers to more formal events, consider pairing your straight leg jeans with a pair of sneakers in a neutral color and wearing a blouse in a complimentary color. For example, a pair of blue jeans could be worn with a soft pink blouse and some brown sneakers to create a look you could wear to the office if there’s a smart casual business dress code in effect.
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You could also wear your jeans, blouses and sneakers as your chic commute look before changing into heels after arriving at your destination.
6) White jeans and polo shirts
If you’re going for a more preppy look with your jeans and sneakers, try pairing your white jeans with a polo shirt in a solid color, tying a cardigan around your neck and throwing on a pair of golf shoes. Now you’re ready for your trip to the golf course in the Hamptons. Some great athleisure wear can be created with a pair of skinny white jeans such as white jeans and a high-collar zip up lululemon jacket such as this one.
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7) Bermuda shorts and sneakers
If you’re on vacation anywhere in the Caribbean, you’re bound to spot a tourist in this same outfit. All you need to add is a simple top in perhaps a bright color and you’ve got yourself a comfortable look you could wear to go exploring or visiting local restaurants. This is also a look you could wear to smart casual events such as a summer office barbecue. Try playing around with tops in vibrant colors to really have fun with this outfit.
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General style tips when pairing jeans and sneakers:
a) Make sure your jeans fit right. Your entire look depends on this so make sure you invest in jeans that flatter your body type.
b) If wearing high top sneakers, stick to skinny jeans or shorts to avoid bunching at the ankle. If you don’t own skinny jeans, roll your jeans up.
c) This is a casual look so avoid wearing this to formal events with a strict dress code and if wearing to the office, you may want to reserve it for Casual Friday.
d) Make sure your sneakers are clean and in good condition as they would be the centre of attention
e) If you’re not sure which sneakers to go with, choose the white ones.
I hope this post has been useful to you and would serve as a guide when next you’re thinking of styling your sneakers with a pair of jeans.
Until the next post,
XOXO
Theankaraqueen